MAPLEWOOD NJ - During October and November, Incpics Studios of Maplewood will join with professionals from across the country to support PPA Charities (the philanthropic arm of Professional Photographers of America) in promoting Family Portrait Month. This national fundraising effort will benefit Operation Smile, which treats children around the world who suffer with cleft lips, cleft palates and other facial deformities.

Participating photographers have pledged to contribute a portion of their family portrait sales for the designated month to PPA Charities, which has chosen Operation Smile as its charitable partner. According to Louisiana photographer Ralph Romaguera, President of Professional Photographers of America (PPA), “October and November are ideal times for families to have their portraits created, because the holiday season is just around the corner.

Few gifts are appreciated as much as portraits of family members. And when families participate in Family Portrait Month, they are making it possible to truly change the lives of children who would otherwise face a lifetime of pain and rejection.”

Founded in 1982, Operation Smile is a worldwide children’s medical charity dedicated to helping children and young adults born with facial deformities. In as little as 45 minutes, one cleft lip surgery can change a child’s life forever. Each year, more than 100,000 children are born with a facial deformity in Operation Smile’s 26 partner countries. Tens of thousands remain untreated.

“Recording the faces of children and their families is what photographers do,” said photographer Mary Fisk-Taylor, who serves as chairman of the fundraising campaign, and who was instrumental in developing the Family Portrait Month promotion. “It’s hard to imagine a more appropriate charity for our members to support. And when parents participate in Family Portrait Month, it’s a wonderful way to teach children the value of reaching out to others. Even small children can understand the importance of Operation Smile’s work, and they are eager to help these needy children.”

To view a list of studios participating in Family Portrait Month, visit www.familyportraitmonth.com. For further information contact: Bert Behnke at (708) 267-0657. Visit Incpics at www.incpics.com.

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